Pressing Forward Last year was a roller coaster of highs and lows for our society as a whole. As a social service agency, Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center has been on the receiving end of great news while having to face difficult challenges as state and local governments reduce their budgets and cut vital support.

One of the celebrations from this year has been that federal mental health parity is now law. This means crucial steps can be made in our effort to raise awareness of mental illness and reduce the stigma that is associated with it. As a nation, we’re finally recognizing this reality:

Without treatment, the consequences of mental illness for the individual and society are staggering; the economic cost

of untreated mental illness is more than 100 billion dollars each year in the United States. (NatioNal MeNtal HealtH associatioN)

However, the programs and services that are in place to treat the costly consequences of mental illness are now facing historic budget cuts. As we prepare this report in March 2010, we’re still unsure of what the future holds. State budget cuts that were announced at the end of 2009 represent a total of $1.4 million in reduced state and local funding for Bert Nash since 2007.

But the good news is that we’re pressing forward. The Bert Nash Center continues to provide innovative, research-based services that are fundamental to the health and wellness of Douglas County citizens. Our staff is doing astonishing things within our community and we’re thrilled to share with you some of the amazing stories of hope that we hear.

We’re proud to give you these highlights from 2009 and we thank you – our treasured friends and donors, who have been with us every step of the way.

A Look at the Numbers

2007$1,437,971

2008$1,319,880

2009$1,100,968

2010$911,544

State Funding Reduced by 36%

adult 31%child & Family 24%Medical 14% emergency 13%school Based 9%Residential 5%Homeless 3%aging 1%

’09 Expenditures by Service Area$10,276,896

Fees for service 55%county Funds 18%state Funds 11%Grants 6%other 6% contracts 3%endowment 1%

’09 Funding Sources$10,276,480

in 2009, we served 3,904 adults and 2,011 children and families in Douglas county. our staff of 189 provided 87,509 hours of services in 2009.

on average, 12 new clients were admitted for services every business day.

the most common diagnoses are depression or anxiety disorders.We see clients of all ages, every ethnicity, and every income level.

The National Institute of Mental Health

estimates 26.2 percent of Americans ages 18 and

older – about one in four adults – suffer from a

diagnosable mental disorder in a given year.

They are your neighbors, your co-workers,

your family members and friends.

Mental illness knows no boundaries.

“I am so glad that I have this

perspective and am happy to

be working at Bert Nash.”

Mariah

Helping People Mariah can remember feeling very depressed when she was in grade school but it was not something she talked to anyone about. However, when she was 17, her de-pression was so severe she attempted suicide- twice. After her second attempt, she was hospitalized at Stor-mont Vail in Topeka. Following her hospital release, she was referred to the Bert Nash Center by her doc-tor.

“My emotions were out of control and they over-whelmed me. I knew what was happening to me but I didn’t know why or how to change it,” Mariah re-marked. “Then I entered the adolescent Dialectical Be-havioral Therapy (DBT) program at Bert Nash and I learned how to deal with my emotions.”

DBT taught Mariah the skills she needed, how to pro-cess the emotions and what to do when they became overwhelming. That was four years ago. Since then,

Mariah graduated from high school, joined Ameri-Corps and went to California to work for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Program. As she worked with displaced individuals (she helped victims of the San Diego wildfires), she realized she really enjoys helping others.

Because of “how much Bert Nash helped me, when I finished with my year at AmeriCorps, I decided to come back to Lawrence and pursue a degree in psychology at KU,” Mariah said. “After my experience working with displaced persons, I felt I could contribute at Bert Nash. I applied for a psychosocial position and got it.”

Now Mariah helps individuals suffering from mental illness cope with the challenges of everyday life. “My training in DBT has really helped me relate to my cli-ents. I am so glad that I have this perspective and am happy to be working at Bert Nash.”

“Without the help of the Bert Nash

Center, I hate to say what would

have happened to me.”

Living by Example

{ MeNtal HealtH WellNess}

SOURCE: natiOnal allianCE On mEntal illnESS

In 2006 Danny suffered a severe stroke at the age of 36. In fact, he suffered a ‘mini-death’—the stroke was so severe he was hospitalized at KU Medical Center for two months and was partially paralyzed on his right side. A football player in high school and college, Dan-ny had never asked for help for anything. Following his stroke, he needed help in so many ways.

“After my stroke, my father died and I was seriously depressed. I wanted to die. Without the Bert Nash Cen-ter and the help I received from Marilee McCleerey and Leigh Jordon, I hate to say what would have happened to me.”

Today, Danny is working hard on recovering his overall wellness. He has stopped smoking and lost 15 pounds. He works out on an elliptical trainer and is walking more than a mile with the aid of a cane. His case man-ager, Marilee, takes him to his doctor appointments and helps him with grocery shopping, errands and managing his home.

“I am a much better person since my stroke. I was self-ish before; now I take other people’s feelings into con-sideration. Marilee has shown me, by example, what it means to be a good person. I can’t say enough good things about Bert Nash.”

With proper care and treatment, between 70 and 90 percent of persons with mental

illnesses experience a significant reduction of symptoms and an improved quality of life.

Sustaining Hope

the Pioneer club gives special recognition to donors who have given $1,000 or more to the center in 2009.

Platinum Society$10,000-24,999 Maurice and Betsy Joy

Silver Society$2,500 - 4,999 Koss construction company

Circle of Leaders$1,000 - 2,499 John and Rosy elmore emprise Bank Richard Jantz Bob and Pauline Johnson David and Michele Johnson steve Mills and Barbara Nash Mills Mary Ruth Petefish Trust eric N. smith and Patricia Roach smith Francois Henriquez and laura stephenson Michael K. and elinor K. tourtellot

In the early 1980s, Bert Nash leaders made the im-portant decision to establish an Endowment Fund to provide support for crucial programs not fully financed by public funds and client fees. Over the past year, private contributions to the Center to-taled over $55,000 and helped to support programs and services that our community depends on.

The Center is so grateful to all of our loyal donors and friends who give their time, talents, and finan-cial support. Allow us to shine the spotlight on a couple of our dearest friends.

“We began donating to Bert Nash Center years ago in the belief that, while mental health care

is an important part of total health care, financial support lagged far behind. Our extended

family has experienced suicide and Asperger’s Syndrome. We know how important it is to

have access to quality mental health care. Once you see firsthand the tragedy of mental health

problems, your perspective on supporting places like Bert Nash Center is changed forever.”

For more information on how to donate to the center, please visit bertnash.org.

{ MaURice & BetsY JoY }

Donors Circle of Light $500 - 999David and Helen Miller alexandercommerce BankKelvin Heck and Marilyn BittenbenderDon FambroughDon and carol HattonKen MartinezMike and cindy MaudeFrank and Judith sabatini

Circle of Hope $250 - 499Beth and Rich ankerholzDuane and Michaele costlowPete and Virginia curranJason and Machaela edmondstim and cindy Fritzelsusan Halllou and lorraine HammerDon and Jene Herronerv and shirley HodgesDon and alice ann Johnstonsandra lawrenceDick and Georgia orchardGary and sue PadgettReggie and Jane Robinsonsteve and eunice Ruttingerstephens Real estateJanice and John storeytim and Jerrye Van leerKevin and Gail Vickchuck and Karen WarnerDan and Phyllis WatkinsNorm and anne Yetmanty and susan Yoshida

Circle of Friends $100 - 249Dave and June adamsDavid and Mary Kate ambleralbert and Barbara BallardBill and ann BeedlesBeverly BillingsJohn and amy BradleyBill and Barbara carswellRob and Micki chestnutJane and charles eldredgeHilda enochRobert and Marti FairchildWebster and Joan GoldenMargaret Gordonalan and sue HackJohn and cindi Hickeyterry and charlene Hodgesteve and Maria ilardiMark and anne Jarboecindy Hart and todd JohnsonFaye o. Jonested and tracy Kihmlouise “Bootsie” lauridsenMichael lawrence and therese Maguire lawrenceJohn McGrewMichael and chris McGrewGene and carol MeyerKeith and Janet Meyerthomas and cindy MurrayJohn and carol NalbandianRichard and carol PetersJulianne Johnson and Judy PollockRobert and ann Russell

laurance and Johanna PriceJames Peterson and Katherine PryorRon and Roberta RenzPatrick and Mary RossJohn and Marilyn sellJean shepherdDiane simpsonDale slusserDon and tammy steeplesPeter steimleorley and toni taylorcynthia WatersBarbara WatkinsHerb WeidensaulRobert and Marilyn Zerwekh

In Memory of Carl Nels ArentsonBoston Financial Data servicesJeffery MaierJulie Podell

In Memory of Bob BillingsBeverly Billings

In Memory of Robert Bryantcarol BarnettJames BryantJames Bryant Jr.Richard BryantZora DurhamKermit and Maryellen FendlerKathleen FranklinBrian FriezNarron and Marianne GibsonJohn and anne GoingRebecca Gonzales

alan and Nancy Whitehousecatherine WolfMolly M. WoodGary and Marilyn Woodward

Patrons, Up to $99Betty aldersonJustin and Jean andersonloren and Judy andersoncurt and Karan BaucomMiriam Blum-BaurBrad and Julie BoydstonVernon and Marilyn chamberlinDon and Janice conradRay and Kathleen DavisBart and Judy eisfelderRuth elbradercharles and erma FisherJim and Donna FloryJoe l. Bickford and Marci FranciscoDorothy H. FritzelRichard and sue Givenscarol GriebGeorge and susan Gurleystephen and Marcia HillRichard and susan Himeslew and Gloria Hinshawcharles Jones and carol Gilham JonesDennis and carol KimballMark larsonloraine H. lindenbaumamy MyersJames V. owensJack ozegovicJudy Paley

Richard Hornsbythomas isenberg and ann slegman isenbergDavid and Michele Johnsonted and tracy KihmMary McKenzieJean MilsteadMark and linda PhillipsDaniel and Judie Roggethomas and susan Rollisteve and eunice Ruttingersociety For Human Resource ManagementVisiting Nurses associationJames and Rowena White

In Memory of A.S. Dutton HartMarc and Julie Jasperson

In Memory of Oscar JohnsonDody Johnson

In Memory of Jan Williamssusan HallDon and alice ann JohnstonBarbara smith

In Honor of Sandra ShawHilda enoch

In Honor of Irene WilsonDavid and Jane Robinson

We have made every effort to ensure that each gift is recorded properly. If your name is misspelled, listed incorrectly, or inadvertently omitted, we sincerely apologize. Please advise Cindy Hart at chart@bertnash.org or 785-830-1701.

Groundbreaking Public Education

“I took MHFA not really thinking that I would ever have to use what I learned. Less

than six months after graduating, I started recognizing some concerning behaviors

in a co-worker. Because of the training, I was able to watch for signs and ask specific

questions. Taking the class gave me the resources, tools, and, most importantly, the

confidence to help my co-worker. I’m so thankful for this program.”

~ NoVeMBeR 2008 MHFa GRaDUate ~

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an in-ternationally recognized 12-hour training course designed to give members of the pub-lic key skills to help someone who is devel-oping a mental health problem or experienc-ing a mental health crisis. In two years, the Center has trained more than 250 people in MHFA through four certified instructors and 19 trainings.

Participants are introduced to risk factors and warning signs for mental health or sub-stance use problems, engage in experiential activities that build understanding of the impact of illness on individuals and families, and learn information about evidence-sup-ported treatment and self-help strategies. For information about upcoming classes, visit bertnash.org

{ YoU caN saVe a liFe }

A Few Highlights From 2009

In November, we

celebrated the 10-year

anniversary of the

Community Health

Facility - home of

the Bert Nash Center.

Adult Services members Juliet Nelson, Ph.D., LCP, and Amy Hammer, LSCSW, conducted a workshop on Dialectical Be-havior Therapy in Wichita in March.

The Center held Mental Health Monday Lectures at the library in May, during Na-tional Mental Health Month.

In November, the Shelter, Inc., recog-nized the Center as an Unsung Hero.

Ty Yoshida, medical director, gave a lecture on working with clients with per-sonality disorders at UMKC/Western Mis-souri Mental Health Center in March.

The Center held three certified work-shops open to staff and outside area pro-fessionals. Topics included depression, cyber ethics, and acceptance and commit-ment therapy.

The Center provided over 50 screenings during National Depression Screen-ing Day in October.

In June, Lanell Finneran, a registered drama therapist and lead teacher at the Center’s Therapeutic Classroom, re-ceived the Governor’s Arts Award for Arts in Education.

Ruth Shadel, aging specialist, worked on the mental health bill in the leg-islature and additions to mental health literature.

As part of the Kansas All Hazards Behavioral Health Team, the Center provides mental health support during emergencies, such as natural disasters and mental health crisis situations, with other first responders.

Center AdministrationBeth ankerholz Information Technology Directorcindy Hart Development Director David Johnson, M.s. Chief Executive Officer tracy Kihm Finance Director eunice Ruttinger, lscsW Adult Services DirectorPatricia Roach smith, lscsW Chief Operations OfficerJanice storey, lscsW Child and Family Services Directortakeshi Yoshida, M.D. Medical Director

Governing Board of DirectorsDoug stephens, chairDavid amblerBarbara BallardJane eldredgecarol Hattonerv HodgesDavid Johnson, ceolouise “Bootsie” lauridsenBonnie lowe Ken McGovernJean Milsteadelizabeth sheils Richard spano

Endowment Trusteesalice ann Johnston, chairJustin andersonJoe Bauman Jason edmondsRosy elmorecarol HattonKelvin HeckDennis “Boog” HighbergerDavid Johnson, ceoMaurice JoyDoug stephensMike treanor

Investment CommitteeMaurice Joy, chairWilliam Beedlescarolyn sheltonchuck Warner Kelly Welch

The Bert Nash Centeris committed to: Quality, accessibility and innovation;education and advocacy; strongpartnerships in promoting health;and financial stability.our mission is to advance the mental health of the Douglas countycommunity through comprehensivebehavioral health services responsiveto evolving needs and changingenvironments. the Bert Nash center is a 501(c )(3)tax exempt organization that isgoverened by a volunteer Board ofDirectors. www.bertnash.org